Raw food or ‘live’ food as it is known in modern day terms is making a fashionable comeback. It is not just a celebrity food fad anymore as people are realising the benefits from healthy eating.
Research has shown that people who complained of being sluggish and tired once given a diet of ‘live’ food soon commented on how full of energy they felt. It was as if they had been given a new lease of life. Live food gives us energy, good digestion and overall good health. The definition of ‘live’ food is “foods in their original uncooked state”. These can be seeds, nuts, fruit, sprouts and vegetables.
Why is ‘live’ food good for us? ‘Live’ food contains vital elements. Cooking destroys these vital elements. These elements include vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and proteins to name but a few. To change our diet to accommodate a full ‘live’ diet would prove to be virtually impossible so it is recommended that we try to eat at least fifty percent of raw foods in our diet. Eating raw food brings many benefits. As you are eating a low calorie diet you may loose weight, it may prevent you from catching so many colds, and it can rejuvenate your body and also bring greater mental clarity.
Here are a few tips for anyone thinking of going ‘live’
- Eat more fresh uncooked foods. If you chew these well you activate the enzymes in them.
- A good rule is to eat the equivalent of one ‘live’ meal a day. This can be anything you want from fruit to pulses.
- Bananas, apples and pineapples contain a range of different enzymes. Vegetables are also a good source especially mushrooms.
- Try any buy your food locally grown, as this is likely to be fresher.
- Organic food is also better, as it has a shorter shelf life it is likely to get to the store quicker.
Here are a few more general pointers on going ‘live’.
As we are eating more ‘live’ food, why not try to cut out the amount of processed food in our diet. Cut down on white bread, pasta, rice, sugar, sweets and processed foods. Replace them with the healthier version of brown bread, brown rice and wholegrain. Sugar can be replaced with honey or dried fruit. Try soaking nuts like almonds and walnuts overnight before adding them to your breakfast cereal. This activates the enzymes and make it easier to digest. Try making your own fruit juice. You can combine fruit and vegetable in the same drink. Experiment and create your own cocktail. If you buy too many fresh fruit and vegetables don’t leave they lying around losing their nutrients. Freeze them yourself to preserve those ‘live’ elements.
Try going ‘live’ you might not realise how sluggish you are until you try it. This time next year you might even be growing your own. Even if you have a small garden you can grow fruit in patio pots. Just think of the satisfaction you will have when you tell your friends that the juice drink they have in their hand is home grown.
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